Insect/arthropod trap

ABSTRACT

An insect and/or arthropod trapping device that generates its own attractants of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and ammonia through the chemical reaction of adding a weakly acidic liquid such as vinegar (acetic acid) to solids such as baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), with the optional addition of urea and/or lactic acid. The liquids are mixed over a period of days onto the solids to generate CO 2  in the vicinity of an insect/arthropod trap having glue boards that trap the insects and arthropods when they alight on the glue board. The attractants can be used with devices that utilize various combinations of other insect attractants and traps such as sound, light, scent, visual, electrical, chemical, sticky surfaces, mesh nets, etc., to further attract and trap or kill insects and/or arthropods.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser.No. 10/670,109 filed Sep. 24, 2003, pending, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/467,677, filed May 2, 2003entitled INSECT TRAP, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/414,936, entitled INSECT TRAP, filed on Sep. 30, 2002, which areherein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

Mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas and chiggers are of significanteconomical and medical concern because humans and important species ofwild and domestic animals are inconvenienced, annoyed, sickened and onoccasion killed as a result of their bites. This invention relates to ameans and method of attracting, trapping and disposing of them.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Mosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas and chiggers carry a wide range of bloodborne diseases which readily infect humans and animals when bitten.These diseases include among other things, lyme disease, ehrlichiosis,tularemia, vectored borreliosis (Masters disease), encephalitis, WestNile virus, Dengue Fever, malaria and others. The effect of thesearthropod borne diseases are well-known and frequently cause long termand significant impairment if not death to those victims. Millions havebeen killed from contracting mosquito-born malaria. Efforts to trapmosquitoes, flies, ticks, fleas, chiggers and other insects andarthropods have employed a number of techniques including sticky paper,sprays and chemical attractants. The latter area of investigation hasbeen encouraging because people and animals emit chemicals that arereadily detected by these arthropods. Indeed, variations in thecombination amount of chemicals emitted from one person to another are areason why some people are more readily bitten than others.

There area a number of variables that must be considered. For example, afemale mosquito may detect a potential bite victim at a distance of20-40 yards depending on the species and weather conditions. Femalemosquitoes are very active between 50° F. and 95° F. in calm or lightbreeze conditions. The female mosquito is sensitive to a variety ofchemicals when beginning a search for a blood meal.

The mosquito is particularly sensitive to carbon dioxide emission forlong distance orientation. Of the 340 or more chemicals emitted byhumans that researchers have determined attract mosquitoes, carbondioxide emission is one significant human and animal emission which is aparticularly useful attractant for mosquitoes. Carbon dioxide isconsidered the single most important cue used by mosquitoes for locatinga source of blood. Researchers estimate a person giving off 275 ml/minof carbon dioxide result in a concentration of carbon dioxide in the airof between 0.01% and 1.0%, a concentration that is well within themosquito's ability to detect. J. P. Smith, J. Walsh, and R. Hussrecently presented a study of mosquito species and numbers caught in 8commercial mosquito traps at the American Mosquito Control Association's2003 annual convention. Seven of the traps produced carbon dioxide byburning propane while one trap did not use carbon dioxide. The noncarbon dioxide trap was markedly inferior to the other seven carbondioxide producing traps.

There are other factors that influence mosquitoes in their search forblood meals. For example, some species of mosquitoes seek areas ofincreased humidity, moisture, increased temperature, and increasedlevels of certain compounds usually generated by sweat glands.Additionally, for some species, sound, vision, movement, light, colorsand vertical contrast appear to have a role in influencing movement ofmosquitoes. The mosquitoes respond to humidity and temperature gradientsassociated with convection currents and thus factors such as relativehumidity play a role in the mosquito's search for a blood meal. Otherfactors that are believed to affect a mosquito's search for blood mealsinclude the light and time of day and a mosquito's ability to detectmovement, color, shapes and patterns. Overall, research suggests thatthe use of carbon dioxide as a basis for attracting mosquitoes remainsan important component in designing effective mosquito traps. Similarconsiderations apply to attracting ticks, fleas and chiggers. A numberof products are commercially available that produce carbon dioxide anduse attractants to attract and capture arthropods. However, many ofthese products use explosive flammable gas such as propane as the maincomponent or dry ice to produce carbon dioxide. Many of these methodsare impractical because they cannot be transported safely by aircraft,cannot be used except under well-ventilated areas, and are not readilyavailable or are expensive. Exemplifications of commercially availablesystems abound. These include, for example, a number that retail fromapproximately $200 to well over $1500. In addition to costs, these unitshave other limitations that limit their usefulness. American BiophysicsCorp. has sold at least three products in this cost range that usepropane to make the carbon dioxide and to generate electrical powerneeded. It also makes use of a vacuum unit to suck in mosquitoes.Applica Mexico also has a plug-in electrical unit that produces achemical attractant that requires EPA registration and are useful at allonly within range of an electrical power source. Replacement glue trapboards are provided but are very expensive. Flowtron sells an electricalplug-in unit that also requires an EPA registration and uses a vacuum tosuck in mosquitoes as does a unit made by Elvert Specialty Products.Coleman provides a unit that burns propane to generate carbon dioxideand further requires EPA registration. Other units sold by BiosensoryInc. have similar limitations and inefficiencies.

Inexpensive, non-electrical, environmentally friendly, controllablemethods for generating carbon dioxide for use in insect and/or arthropodtraps developed to date have not been generally available. As noted, itis well known that hematophagouos insects and other arthropods areattracted to their hosts by sensing carbon dioxide and this is the basisfor numerous previous patents such as Miller, U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,176;Wigdon, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,243; Paganessi, et al., U.S. Pat.No. 5,943,815; Iwao, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,122; etc. Previoussources of supplying carbon dioxide gas have included releasing CO₂ fromtanks, allowing dry ice to gradually sublimate, catalytic conversion ofa hydrocarbon fuel in a combustion chamber (U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,243),methanol cells (U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,176), and dropping a calciumcarbonate tablet into water (U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,122). Although thesemethods of supplying carbon dioxide are effective, the associated tanksand/or holding containers tend to be quite large and difficult to handleand/or the rate of CO₂ gas release has been difficult to control,sustain and regulate. Some are also associated with devices that requireelectricity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention provides a novel portable method and device forgenerating carbon dioxide for insect and/or arthropod trapping devices.By adding a weakly acidic liquid such as water or vinegar (acetic acid)via a tube or tubes, drip hole(s), wick(s), etc. at a controlled rate toa solid such as baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) with lactic acid andwith or without urea added, the composition generates water and CO₂ gas.This can be demonstrated quite effectively in a kitchen by adding aspoonful of vinegar to a spoonful of baking soda. When urea is added, itreacts with the water produced by the vinegar-baking soda reaction toproduce additional CO₂ (very desirable). Adding ammonia is alsodesirable, as ammonia is a known insect attractant. The lactic acidincreases the CO₂ conversion efficacy over that of acetic acid alone, bymany multiples. By controlling the drip rate or rate of vinegar or othereffective liquid added to a known quantity of baking soda or othereffective solid(s), a controlled quantity of carbon dioxide gas can begenerated for long periods of time. In one version of our invention, oneliter of acetic acid (vinegar) or even water at a controlled drip into aproportional chemical quantity of a cake comprising a mix of sodiumbicarbonate (baking soda), urea and lactic acid will produce asufficient and effective quantity of CO₂ to attract arthropods such asmosquitoes and ticks for up to seven days. The cost of operation will beabout the same as the propane gas mosquito traps, but the manufacturingcost of the trap will only be a fraction of that of the propane trap.

The subject of this invention can be used indoors to attract diseasevectors that may include the mosquito species Anopholes gambine (whichtransmits malaria within houses in Africa), Culex pipiens (or “housemosquito”) the main vector of West Nile and St. Louis Encephalitisviruses in North America, and Aedes aegypti (Asian house mosquito), theprincipal vector of dengue virus. This invention can also be used toattract disease-carrying mosquitoes outdoors. The subject invention canalso attract ticks that may include Argasid ticks which are vectors ofrelapsing fevers within dwellings in North American and Africa andattract Ixodid tick species to collection devices outdoors such as theLone Star tick, the vector of Ehrlichiosis and Master's disease and theBlack-legged tick, the vector of Lyme disease, Babesiosis andEhrlichiosis. The subject of this invention can also attract pestchiggers in North America and Europe and medically important chiggers inAsia that transmit scrub typhus. The subject of this invention canattract economically important pest species that may include stableflies, no-seeums, horse flies, deer flies, sand fleas, cat fleas, anddog fleas. Studies to date suggest the present invention may attract andcapture 43 medically important and/or pest species of insects.

An object of the subject invention is to provide a non-electricnon-flammable method for producing carbon dioxide and/or ammonia at aslow rate. A second object of the subject invention is to provide anon-explosive method for producing carbon dioxide and/or ammonia at aslow rate. A third object of the subject invention is to provide a safeand easily shippable method for producing carbon dioxide or carbondioxide and ammonia at a slow rate. Another object of this invention isto provide a method of generating gaseous carbon dioxide and/or ammoniaby slow release from chemical compounds. This method can be used for theattraction of arthropods such as mosquitoes, flies, fleas, chiggers andticks.

An additional object of the subject invention is to provide gaseouscarbon dioxide without the use of dry ice. Another object of the subjectinvention is to provide gaseous carbon dioxide silently. Another objectof the subject invention is to provide a method of capturing and killingarthropods without “zapping” them and aerosolizing infectious particles.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide arelatively inexpensive, easily manufactured, assembled, and installedportable device for slowly releasing sufficient carbon dioxide from achemical packet to attract mosquitoes, chiggers and ticks to the devicefor subsequent disposal. One other object of the present invention is toprovide a relatively inexpensive, environmentally safe, mosquito andtick trap that can be mass produced, easily distributed and maintainedfor long periods of time with little care or maintenance.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a lightweightcompact tick and mosquito trap that is easy to store and ship. One moreobject of the present invention is to provide an improved tick andmosquito trap that makes use of individual packets of chemicals that canbe easily activated for slow emission of carbon dioxide over a period ofdays or even longer.

There are additional and significant advantages of the presentinvention. This invention provides a commercially viable inexpensivesystem for producing chemically, rather than electrically, arthropodattractants in the form of carbon dioxide. This system is safer,cheaper, and more environmentally friendly than other systems. By notusing propane or pressurized carbon dioxide tanks, the present inventionavoids emission of toxic fumes, reduces the size of the unit andprovides a system that may be transported on planes and can also be usedindoors.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a system withancillary visual means for attracting arthropods. These include use ofphosphorescent systems in the unit to emit both red and blue lights tomaximize mosquito attraction and non-phosphorescent colors of black, redand blue. Moisture, which functions as an additional attractant tomosquitoes, is a product of the chemical reaction. Heat is also providedfor further mosquito attraction by a solar energized heat brick. In thisarrangement, heat is absorbed during the day and slowly released atnight in sufficient amounts to attract mosquitoes as well as otherarthropods.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing objectives and advantages of the present invention will bemore clearly understood in connection with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical trap embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 takenalong the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectional isometric view of anotherembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a partially cross-section view of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-section of a portion of the invention illustrating thevalve construction in one embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF ADDITIONAL FIGURES

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. Forpurposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in everydrawing. Additionally the drawings as submitted may include dimensionalrepresentations which are demonstrative of a particular sizedembodiment, but which are not to be construed as limiting, inasmuch asthe invention contemplates a wide range of sizes and proportions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is not limited in its applications to the details ofconstructions and the arrangement of components set forth in thefollowing description or illustration of the drawing. The invention iscapable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out invarious ways. Also, the phraseology and termination used herein is usedfor purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Theuse of “including”, “comprising”, or “having”, “containing”, and“involving” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the itemslisted thereafter in equivalence therefor as well as additions.

In one aspect, the invention involves in an insect and arthropod trapthat functions by admixture, during the deployment of the device whileit is functioning as an insect trap, of at least a first reactant with asecond reactant to produce an insect-attractant species (preferably agas). This reaction can be continuous (i.e., proceeding at a relativelyconstant rate during trap deployment), and can be made to occurautomatically, without the need to be continuously monitored by a human.Provided below are examples of specific chemicals which can be used inconnection with the invention, but those of ordinary skill in the artwill readily appreciate that a wide variety of additional chemistry canbe exploited in practicing the invention, and will be able to use nomore than routine experimentation and knowledge of ordinary skill in theart to select, test (if necessary) and deploy chemicals different fromthose specifically described below, in the invention. The reader isdirected to standard inorganic and organic chemistry texts for directionin this regard.

One technique, described below, for continuously introducing a firstreactant to a second reactant, from which it had initially beenisolated, in a continuous process not requiring human monitoring orcontrol is to continuously drip a reactant fluid into a bolus of asecond reactant, which can be a solid (e.g., cake), liquid, gas, etc.Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a variety of liquidsthat can participate in such a reaction in this manner. In the examplebelow, the liquid is water. In other examples, the liquid can be anaqueous acid, base, electrophile, or water carrying any other componentor combination of components which, when the liquid is introduced to asecond reactant, participates in a reaction that generates aninsect-attractive species. The liquid similarly can be non-aqueous,which by itself or via any species or combination of species suspendedor dissolved therein, participates in such a reaction.

While, as mentioned, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily beable to select reactants suitable for use in the invention, a simplescreening test can be used to quickly test candidate reactants todetermine their effectiveness of use in the invention. First, apparatusfor continuously combining the reactants is selected based upon whetherthe reactants are solid, liquid, or gas. Those of ordinary skill in theart are well aware of simple apparatus for combining any of thesespecies, including drip-flow controllers activated by, e.g., low-flowpumps and related conduits, conveyers for solids, pressure-regulationvalves for gases with conduits for controlling exposure of the gas toanother reactant, etc. Many of these systems can include microfluidicreaction apparatus, which has been well-studied and discussed in recentliterature. Reactants can be combined using such apparatus at a varietyof different rates, with the environment surrounding the reaction sitemonitored via standard instrumentation for the production ofinsect-attractive species. The rate of reactant combination can becompared to the generation of an effective threshold amount ofinsect-attractive species to determine whether the reaction can becarried out, in the absence of human direction and control, usingreasonable amounts of reactants to generate an effective amount ofinsect-attractive species for a sufficient period of time. Variations inthe test may involve monitoring the level of insect-attractive speciesat various distances from the site at which reactants are combined,monitoring the reaction under various air flow conditions (forevaluation of effective outdoor use), or the like.

The particular embodiment of the invention shown in the drawingsconsists primarily of two main components. The first is a chemicalcomposition consisting primarily of a carbon dioxide and ammoniagenerating solid chemical cake adapted to emit carbon dioxide andpossibly ammonia slowly over a period of days or weeks when the chemicalcompound is activated by a weak acid such as acetic acid or waterapplied over a time period. The second primary component is a trapdesigned to support the chemical compound in a manner that attractedarthropods are drawn towards the emitted carbon dioxide and ammonia andare then trapped and killed in the trap supporting the chemicalcompound.

Ambient levels of carbon dioxide in the environment are typically in therange of 3% to 4% or less. Insects and biting arthropods are attractedby any concentration over this, even as small as 0.1 ppm (parts permillions). Mosquitoes are adapted to detect and be attracted by aslittle as 0.01% above ambient CO₂ levels, whatever they may be. Thesystem herein described is designed to emit in the range of 10 to 300times what mosquitoes will detect above current ambient levels. Someticks, such as Amblyomma americanum (lone star) that carry tularemia,Ehrlichiosis, Lyme and/or Lyme like illness (Masters' disease) and otherillnesses can detect carbon dioxide. With the spread of tick-borneillnesses such as Lyme disease and insect vectored illnesses such as theWest Nile virus, the public health benefit of using relativelyinexpensive and portable insect trapping devices using the veryeffective carbon dioxide as an attractant is self-evident. Any insects,ticks, or other arthropods trapped and killed are potentially infectedvectors that might have transmitted disease to animals such as horses,pets, or humans.

The embodiment of the chemical compounds are in the form of (1) a liquidweak acid or water that functions as a weak acid to be dripped or wickedand (2) a dry compound that reacts with the liquid to produce carbondioxide, ammonia or both. Carbon dioxide gas generated by this safe andenvironmentally friendly method can be used in adapted and existingdevices or in new devices and insect and/or arthropod traps that canemploy the use of additional attractants. The addition of urea resultsin the emission of a vapor of the attractant ammonia when using a cakeor container comprising the chemicals sodium bicarbonate/acetic acid,improve the function of the chosen insect trap. Additional attractantssuch as amino acids, esters, ketones, alanine, cholesterol, hemoglobinpeptone, phenylalanine, and petroleum products can also be used toenhance or to attract specific arthropods. One example of a commerciallyavailable octenol that may function as an attractant is made by FlowtronInc. It may be inserted within the trap.

The present design may also incorporate appropriate colors for thedisease carrying vectors, as well as a passive heat sink to maintain atemperature differential to additionally attract, and special olfactoryor scent attractants, etc. The dry compound forming the presentinventions includes in one preferred embodiment a mix of:

-   -   64 to 100 parts by weight of sodium bicarbonate    -   0 to 25 parts by weight of lactic acid; and    -   0 to 11 parts by weight of urea

The liquid compound may comprise water and/or a weak acid such as aceticacid.

The following is an example summary of the chemical reactions achievedin use of this system:

Added urea will react to the water produced in the above reaction toproduce additional CO₂ and ammonia, both desirable.

The anticipated preferred embodiment of the compounds which are used toproduce carbon dioxide and/or ammonia gaseous phase are in the form of:H₂O+2C₃H₅O₃+11NaHCO₃→6H₂O+17CO₂+11NaHCH₄N₂O+H₂O→CO₂+2NH₃Examples of the use of the embodiment of the slow release of carbondioxide and/or ammonia are:

EXAMPLE 1

500 ml of H₂O is wicked at a rate of 2 ml/hr from a lower container to achamber above containing 180 g lactic acid C₃H₆O₃. 453 g sodiumbicarbonate CHN_(a)O₃. 80 g urea, H₂NCONH₂. The subsequent release ofcarbon dioxide CO₂ are 3×-10× the minimal detection threshold formosquitoes for 7 days.

EXAMPLE 2

500 ml of H₂O is drip wicked by a conveyor at a rate of 2 ml/hr from anupper container to a chamber below containing 180 g C₃H₆O₃, 453 g sodiumbicarbonate CHNaO₃, 80 g urea H₂NCONH₂. The subsequent release of CO₂and NH₃ are 10× the minimal detection threshold for mosquitoes for 7days.

EXAMPLE 3

500ml of H₂O is dripped through a valve at a rate of 2 ml/hr from anupper container to a chamber below containing 180 g C₃H₆O₃, 453 g sodiumbicarbonate CHNaO₃, 80 g urea H₂NCONH₂. The subsequent release of CO₂are 3×-10× the minimal detection threshold for mosquitoes for 7 days.

Example #3 may be modified by deleting urea from the mix. This willresult in the emission of carbon dioxide but not ammonia. The examplemay also be modified by adding other attractants. For example, 0 to 10%peptone, o-15% phenylalamine, 0 to 15% beta alanine or 0 to 10%cholesterol may be added. Alternately, a combination of two or more ofthese attractants up to about 15% of the mix are also contemplated.

The systems described above are effective in functioning as anattractant within two hours. In one test, within two hours, in anoutdoor environment, 300 mosquitoes, 1100 noseeums and 12 horseflieswere trapped. It is believed the system can operate using examples setforth above or their equivalents for, in the order of, seven days. Thelength of the continuous emission may be controlled by the volume ofwater or water/acetic acid mix that is used.

The method shown in the various examples, such as Example 3, may beimplemented using apparatus shown in the drawings. In this arrangement,in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a dispenser 1 is provided which maybe set on a surface or suspended above ground by hanging it from a wireor cord (not shown) connected to a handle or hook 2. The dispenserincludes a hood 4, upper container or water cup 6, lower container orfuel cup 8, diaphragm 10, valve 12, skirt 14, and stabilizer/heat sink16.

The hood 4 is formed with a continuous side wall 21 which, in onepreferred embodiment, is frusto-conic in configuration with or withoutholes placed medially. A recessed or depressed cover 22 spans and isconnected to the upper edge of the wall 21 by a circumferential flange23. The lower edge 24 of the wall 21 may be preferably scalloped asillustrated in FIG. 2. The wall 21 is preferably frusto-conic inconfiguration, but may assume other shapes depending upon the particularpurpose and size of the device. Other shapes are contemplated. Anopening 25 is centrally formed in the recess cover 22. The opening 25may be threaded to receive a plug 38. Plug 38 may be integrally formedwith the handle or hook 2. The hook 2 may take a wide range of shapesfrom a simple coat hanger hook shape to a more elaborate handle-shapedand sized to permit the unit to be carried by an individual using thehook 2 as a handle. The hood 4 is coated on at least the inner surface20 by a non-drying or slow drying adhesive of conventional material usedto hold insects and arthropods when they alight on its surface.Typically adhesive or glue paper material may be used and suitablysecured to either the outside or inside of hood 4. It may be modified,however, to include chemicals specifically designed to eradicate thetarget insects and/or arthropods. The adhesive coating may be applied tothe inner surface of wall 21 and the inner surface of the bottom surfaceof cover 22 of the hood if desired. In some instances, limiting theadhesive to surface 20 is desirable if replacement hoods are to bestacked. If the adhesive or arthropod attractive surface is limited tosurface 20, a stack of hoods 4 may be nested together if properly shapedso that the walls 21 do not touch one another. A protective strippablepaper or plastic covering the adhesive paper may also be employed untilthe unit is activated. Instead of coating the inner surfaces, glue paperor similar material may be lined against the surface and be removablysecured to it by clips or the like so the glue paper may be changed whendesired.

The upper container 6 comprises a cylindrical wall 30 (or other shape),a bottom wall 32, and cap 34. The cap 34 may be formed with an inlettube 36 open at the top and extending through the cover for introducingwater into the upper container 6. The inlet tube 36 and cap 34 may beseparately formed and thereafter secured to the cover 20 by suitablemeans such for example, as externally threading the end of tube 36 toengage a complimentary thread in the opening in the cover 22. Otherarrangements convenient for fabricating the unit are contemplated. Inthis arrangement plug 38 closes the upper end of tube 36. It maythreadingly engage the tube 36. The bottom of the upper container issuitably connected to cap 34 and is closed at its bottom by thediaphragm 10 in which the valve 12 is positioned. A suitable stopcockwhich is externally accessible engages and controls valve 12 to permit aselected drip rate of water 40 from the upper container 6 into the lowercontainer 8 onto the chemicals such as described in Example 3.

The upper container 6 may be formed in a variety of shapes. In theembodiment illustrated, the cap 34 may be threaded to the upper edge ofcylindrical wall 30. The upper container may be integrally molded withthe cover 37 of the lower container 8 with the cover 37 connected to thebottom wall 32 by the annular neck 35.

The lower container 8 may also be formed with a cylindrical wall 42containing a series of holes 44 to permit outward passage of the CO₂ andNH₃ emitted by the chemical reaction of Example 3. The cylindrical wall42 is suitable connected to the cover 37 by a variety of means includingfor example, a threaded inter-engagement between the inner surface of adepending flange extending from the cover 37 and the outer upperperiphery of the wall 42.

A quantity of dry chemicals 48 such as described in the Examples islocated in the lower container 8 below the valve 12.

The skirt 14 may have a shape similar to the shape of hood 4 and in someinstallations, may have desired to be interchangeable with it. In thisarrangement, the skirt 14 is formed with a frusto-conic side wall 50,and a cover 51. The wall 50 is also formed with a lower scalloped edge54 similar to the scalloped edge 24. The purpose of the scalloped loweredge is to permit space for mosquitoes, ticks and chiggers and otherarthropods to crawl underneath the skirt 14 if the scalloped edge 54 ofthe dispenser 1 is placed on a surface. Suitably secured with the skirt14 is a solid and relatively heavy heat sink 55 which may be formed of avariety of materials such as metal, brick, or plastic composite, whosepurpose is to provide a heat emitting surface and also for purposes offunctioning as a relatively effective stabilizer so that the unit doesnot readily tip. The heat sink may be secured by a cement, an adhesiveor other means to the inner surface of the cover 51.

In an alternate embodiment, the skirt 14 may be secured to the unit in areverse position so that it acts as a receptacle for carbon dioxideforming a reservoir or basin for purposes of increasing efficiency.

The various components may be made more effectively by molding the hood4 and the skirt 14 to be interchangeable.

In order to increase the arthropod attracting nature of the unit, thehood 4 is preferably black in color while the cover 22 is preferably ared phosphorescent color while the handle 2 is preferably phosphorescentblue if the phosphorescent color combinations are contemplated. Thesecolors may be modified for purposes of attracting alternative arthropodspecies. The colors will range from near infrared to ultraviolet. Thelocation of the adhesive strips on the inner surface 20 of hood 4 andthe inner surface of skirt 14 is intended to provide a more sightlyarrangement in which trapped mosquitoes, chiggers ticks and the like arenot ordinarily visible. Additionally, the inner surfaces of the hood 4and skirt 14 are preferably roughened to facilitate movement of insectstowards the glue area or adhesive strips. As described in further detailbelow, and as illustrated in FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the entire trapsits upon a round base or tray 165 that include slots and adhesivestrips.

By providing a stop cock control of valve 12, the rate of water flowfrom the upper container 6 through the valve 12 onto the chemical bedcontained in lower container 8 may be controlled so as to conserve orspeed up the dissipation of carbon dioxide. In place of a valve 12 theinvention also contemplates other flow control means in the form of afluid conveyor comprising a pipette or restrictive funnel with orwithout a wick extending through it and made of suitable material suchas cotton. If desired, the inner surface of skirt 14 may be covered witha tape having a sticky outer surface for purposes of trapping ticks andthe like that may crawl onto the dispenser. An appropriate filter may bepositioned over the valve 12 if the water used is not clean. Thechemicals positioned in the lower container 8 may be solid or dispensedin cake form for easy replacement. Typically, a cake of such materialmay last for in the order of 168 hours while generating sufficient CO₂to attract insects and arthropods.

The present invention also contemplates forming the chemicals or a drycomposition or cake for insertion in the lower container 8. To be surethat the dry chemicals inserted in container 8 are proper incomposition, it is desirable that the dry chemicals contemplated by thepresent invention and not other substitute chemical compositions be usedfor that purpose, the shape of container 8 may be specially designed toreceive a complimentary specially shaped dry chemical cake. This shapemay for example, comprise a star shape or some other irregularconfiguration of dry chemicals which fit closely into the interior ofcontainer 8.

A further and preferred embodiment of the present invention isillustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. In the arrangements of FIGS. 3 and 4, thestructure has some components corresponding in general arrangement tothe components of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly, some ofthe terms used in describing the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 will besimilarly identified. In this arrangement, a handle 102 having a U-shapewith one leg having a scalloped finger edge 102A is connected by a bightsection to a pivoting leg 102B with this pivoting leg 102B journalled ina passage formed at the top of post 102C. Post 102C has an opening inwhich the handle is rotatably locked by interengagement of the post withleg 102B in a manner that will permit pivoting rotation of the handlewith respect to the post. The post 102C extends through a cap 134 whichis dome shaped. The lower end of post 102C extends through a notchedopening 103 in the depressed cover 122. A similar notched opening 104 inthe cap 134 permits the post to be projected through the openings 103and 104. The post 102C is provided with a laterally extending flange atits lower end shaped with projecting radially opposed tabs adapted topass through the notched openings 103, 104 and further adapted when thehandle 102 is rotated ninety degrees to lock the handle to the cap 134and depressed cover 122 by interengagement of projecting tabs of thelaterally extending flange 111 with the lower surface of depressed cover122.

The cap 134 is preferably dome shaped and may be provided with adepending annular flange 135 that extends downwardly to and engages theupper surface of depressed cover 122 when the cap 134 and cover 122 areinterlocked. The cap 134 is co-extensive with hood 105, which isfrustro-conic in shape and is integrally connected to the depressedcover 122 by the stepped annular flange 122A. The hood 105 is formedwith a radially arranged series of openings 108 that circumscribe thehood 105. In this embodiment, the hood 105 is preferably formed with asmooth annular lower edge 124. A series of radially arranged, inwardlyprojecting tabs 109 are formed near the lower edge 124 of the hood 105.These inwardly projecting tabs may be molded or appropriately vacuumformed in the hood to project a short distance inwardly to form engagingtabs for an annular glue board or annular glue board segments 110. Theannular glue board or glue board segment 110 are locked into and againstthe inner surface of hood 105 by interengagement of the lower edge ofthe glue boards with the inwardly projecting tabs 109. These glue boards110 may be otherwise secured to the inner surface of the hood 105. Theymay be made of flexible material such as paper or foil, suitably coatedwith an adhesive suitable to trap insects. They provide an appropriatedisposable surface for engaging ticks, mosquitoes or other insects. Glueboards 110 may be formed as annular segments or as an annular ring andshould be designed for replacement purposes. The glue boards may have anon-adhesive outer surface and an adhesive inner surface capable ofcatching and holding ticks and other insects on engagement. An uppercontainer 106 is preferably annularly formed with a continuing side wall107 and an integrally formed bottom 112. An opening 113 is centrallyformed in the bottom 112. A gasket or grommet 114A annularly formedabout a pipette 115 secures and seals the pipette in opening 113 in amanner that will permit fluid contained within the upper fluid container106 to drip slowly through the axial opening in pipette 115 into a fuelcup or container 116. The upper container 106 is secured to thedepressed cover 122 by projecting barbs 123 with at least two projectingbarbs 123 on diametrically opposite sides of the container 106projecting upwardly through corresponding openings in the cover 122 tolock the container 106 to the cover. Additionally, a series of holes125, preferably four in number, are arranged radially about and extendthrough the cover 122.

The bottom 112 of the upper container 106 is integrally formed with afrustro-conic section 130 that has a radially outwardly extending flange131 at its lower edge. The flange 131 has a depending annular flange 132extending downwardly from its outer edge with this depending annularflange formed with at least two lock slots 137 (FIG. 4) formeddiametrically opposite one another in the flange 132. The radiallyextending flange 131 optionally may be provided with a plurality ofpassages 138 arranged radially around the flange 131. Alternately, or inaddition, a series of passages 139 may be formed in the frusto-conicsection. The purpose of the passages 138 and/or 139 is to permitemission of gases formed in the container 116 as herein described. Thecontainer 116 is designed to receive the active materials referred toabove including, for example, the materials described in the variousexamples. This material is placed on the bottom 140 of container 116directly under the pipette 115 to receive the water or other fluiddripping from the upper container 106 through the pipette. The side wall141 of container 116 is formed with an annular channel 142 in its outerwall a short distance below the bottom 140. The container 116 is alsoformed with a plurality of locking tabs 137A positioned, shaped andsized to engage lock slots 137 to secure container 116 to the flange132.

Skirt or shroud 114 has a sidewall 150 that is frusto-conic in shape.This side wall 150 terminates in an upper inwardly extending annularwall 151. The inner edge of the wall 151 has a depending annular flange152 integrally formed with it. A bottom wall 153 extends across thedepending annular flange 152 intermediate its upper and lower ends andforms a support for the bottom 140 of fuel cup or container 116. Aseries of inwardly extending lips 155 project inwardly from the upperwall 151 into the annular channel 142. There are preferably at leastfour of such inwardly projecting lips radially arranged about the wall151 with the lips 155 shaped and sized to snap fit into the annularchannel 142. A heat sink cup 160 is positioned below the fuel cup orcontainer 116 and skirt 114 with the cup 160 shaped and sized to snuglyfit within the lower portion of the depending flange 152. The height ofthis cup 160 may be sufficiently high to occupy the space between thebottom wall 153 and the tick tray hereafter described. This heat sinkcup 160 is shaped and sized to receive an appropriate heat sink whichmay consist of any heat retaining material such as a block of metal. Theheat sink is designed to receive and retain heat during the day whentemperatures are elevated and slowly emit heat when temperatures fallduring the evening and night. This heat sink, therefore, acts as a heatsource that attracts various ticks and arthropods in the course of theevening.

The skirt 114 is formed with an annular lower edge 161 that fits on andis secured by a series of stops 164 that project upwardly from theperiphery of the tick tray 165. Preferably, at least four or more stops164 should be radially arranged around the periphery of the tick tray165 to support the skirt 114 and the other elements of this assemblyslightly above the tick tray 165, with a space between lower edge 161and the tray 165 to allow ticks to enter. The skirt 114 is furtherprovided with a series of inwardly projecting tabs 166 similar infunction and design to tabs 109. These tabs 166 project inwardly asufficient distance and are radially arranged about the inner surface ofthe skirt 114 to engage the lower edge of an annular glue board similarto glue board 110 or to otherwise support glue board segments (notshown) radially arranged and secured to the inner surface of skirt 114.These glue boards are designed similarly to the previously discussedglue boards 110 and are intended to be replaceable.

The tick tray 165 is formed with a supporting top 170. An upwardlyprojecting annular bead 171 extends radially about the top 170 andprojects upwardly to define an inner circular area within which areplaceable glue board may be placed. The glue board is die-cut withradial slots that correspond with similar slots 173 in the top 170.These radially arranged slots which may be four or more in number extendoutwardly to just short of the bead 171. The slots 173 function to allowticks and insects that may be crawling on the underneath of the unit toget into the interior of the unit and climb onto the top 170 and becaught by the glue board resting on it. The outer periphery of the ticktray 165 has a descending annular flange 175 that supports the tick trayabove ground level. Since the tick tray will often be placed outdoors onground, the annular flange 175 will in many instances not be flush withthe ground surfaces, thereby permitting areas under which ticks andother insects may crawl. It is these ticks and insects that willordinarily crawl through the slots 173 and be caught by the glue boardon the tick tray.

The outer surface on the upper container 106 may be provided with aluminescent surface of a selected color. This luminescent surface willappear to ticks and insects looking at the luminescent side wall 107 asa moving light as the tick or insect, itself, moves. This appearance ofa moving light will thus appear as an attractant to the tick or insect.When seen by an insect from a distance, the luminous light appearingthrough holes 108 may appear to be the eyes of a mammal.

Accordingly, there are several tick and insect attractant functions ofthe invention described in FIGS. 3 and 4. First, fluid such as water orother materials herein described contained in the upper container 106dripped through the pipette 115 onto the reactant material in the fuelcup 116. This slow emission of carbon dioxide and ammonium is emittedover a prolonged time period through the openings 138 and/or 139 tofunction as an insect or tick attractant. Additionally, the radiation ofheat from the heat sink within the heat sink cup 160 also generates anattractant source to ticks and insects. Additionally, the appearance ofmoving light from the chemiluminescent-coated outer container 106through the openings 108 is a third form of insect/tick attraction.

Referring now to the further embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9 andfollowing, there is shown a trap intended for the same purposes as theembodiments shown in FIGS. 1-4. In this embodiment 200, the primarycomponents include a handle 210 connected as herein after described to adome 220 which supports a hood 230. Also supported by the dome is anupper container or water cup 250 that is integrally connected as morefully described with a frusto-conic section 270, the lower end of whichis engaged with a fuel cup or container 280. The fuel cup or container280, at its lower end, engages the skirt 300 which, in turn, engages aheat sink cup 330 beneath the skirt 300. A tick tray 350 supports theskirt 300 and the other elements of the structure. Additionally, one ormore glue boards or adhesive strips may be supported strategically ontop of or under the hood 230 and the skirt 300. The embodimentillustrated in FIG. 6 shows these glue boards supported on the outersurfaces, although glue boards may also be appropriately installed bothon the outer and inner surfaces of the hood and skirt.

This tick tray 350 (FIG. 7) is formed with a supporting top 351 andupwardly projecting annular bead 352 that extends radially about the top351 to define an inner circular area within which a replaceable glueboard (not shown) may be placed as desired. A glue board is die cut withradial slots that correspond with similar slots 353 in the top 351.These radially arranged slots which may be four or more in number and inthis case six, extend outwardly to just short of the bead 352. The slots353 function to allow ticks and insects that may be crawling on theunderneath of the unit to get into the interior of the unit and climbover the top 351 to be caught by the glue board resting on it. The outerperiphery of the tick tray 350 has a downwardly flared annular flange354, that supports the tick tray above ground level. Since the tick traymay often be placed outdoors on grounds that are not perfectly smooth,the flange 354 will not be flush with the ground, thus providing smallraised areas or openings that will permit ticks and other insects tocrawl beneath the tray 350. These ticks and insects may crawl throughthe slots 353.

In addition, the skirt or bottom shroud 300 is formed with a lowerannular edge 361 that fits on and is secured by a series of stops 364that project upwardly from the tick tray 350 to support the skirtslightly above the tick tray 350, with the space between the lower edge361 and the tray providing space that allows ticks to enter. The skirt300 has a sidewall 301 that is frusto-conic in shape. This sidewall 301terminates at its upper end in an inwardly extending annular wall 302.The inner edge of the wall 302 has a depending annular flange 303integrally formed with it. A bottom wall 304 extends across thedepending annular flange 303 intermediate its upper and lower ends andforms a support for the bottom of the fuel cup 280 as describedhereafter. A series of inwardly extending lips 306 project inwardly fromthe inner edge of the annular wall 302 to engage the fuel cup 280 ashereafter described. There are preferably at least four, and asillustrated in this embodiment six, such inwardly projecting lips 306radially arranged about the wall 303. The lips 306 are shaped and sizedto snap fit over the annular flange 281 described hereafter.

The heat sink cup 330 is shaped and sized to receive an appropriate heatsink 334 which may consist of any heat-retaining material such as ablock of metal or a quantity of a heat retaining gel. Other heat sourcesare also contemplated, such as a battery-operated heat pad. The heatsink is designed to receive and retain heat during the day whentemperatures are elevated and slowly emit heat when temperatures fallduring the evening and night. The heat sink 334 therefore acts as a heatsource that attracts various ticks and arthropods through the course ofthe evening. In one preferred embodiment, an appropriate gelcommercially available in heat and cold compresses may function as theheat sink material. The advantages of such commercially available gel isit is inexpensive and functions quite satisfactorily. A plurality,preferably three equally spaced dogs 331, project outwardly from theupper edge of the cup 330 to interlock with inwardly extending lips orflanges at the lower edge of flange 303 as illustrated at 310. The dogs331 thus interlock with the inwardly extending flanges 310 to hold thecup 330 firmly against the inner surface of the shroud 300. Beforesecuring the heat sink cup 330 to the skirt 300, a quantity of gel orother heat sink material as previously described should be inserted intothe cup.

A fuel cup 280 is preferably cylindrical in shape with an open top andclosed bottom. At the bottom, an annular flange 281 circumscribes theouter wall of the cup 280. The flange 281 extends upwardly from thebottom edge 284 of the cup. It is shaped and sized to engage in a snapfit the inwardly engaging lips 306. Thus the cup 280 may be popped intoengagement with the skirt or shroud 300. The upper edge of the cup 280is provided with a pair of outwardly extending tabs 283 diametricallyopposed to one another and extending outwardly from the outer upper edgeof the cup. The fuel cup 280 is sized to receive a quantity of chemicals285 of the type described earlier. Preferably, these chemicals will bereactive to water or other fluids that cause the chemicals to emitcarbon dioxide over a prolonged time period.

The frusto-conic section 270 (FIGS. 6-8) of the upper container or watercup 250 is secured to the upper edge of the fuel cup 280. In thisarrangement, the lower edge of the frusto-conic section 270 terminatesin an outwardly extending annular flange 271, in turn terminating in adownwardly extending skirt 272. The downwardly extending skirt 272 isprovided with at least a pair of opposed lock slots 273 shaped and sizedto inter-engage the fuel cup 280 by engagement of the outwardlyextending flanges or tabs 283 of the cup 280 in the key hole slots 273.The slots 273 extend radially about the skirt for a length longer thanthe length of the tabs 283 with downwardly extending openings 274continuous with the slots 273 having a width at least equal to the widthof the tabs 283. A lattice work of openings 275 extend through the upperend of the frusto-conic section 270 just below the container 250. Thislattice of openings 275 may be provided on opposite sides or diagonallyopposite portions of the conic section 270. These openings 275 providepassage for the outward flow of air that has reacted with the chemical.

The upper container or water cup 250 is symmetrically positioned abovethe frusto-conic section and may be integrally formed with it. Forbetter rigidity a pair of gussets 276 may extend between the outersurface of the frusto-conic section and the bottom 251 of the cup 250.The cup further includes an upwardly extending cylindrical wall 252continuous with the bottom 251. At the upper open end 253 of the cup 250a pair of barbs 254 are integrally formed diametrically opposite oneanother. These barbs 254 extend outwardly, and engage openings 238 inthe top wall of hood 230. An axially aligned opening or passage 256 isformed in the bottom 251. An annular wall 257 extends downwardly fromthe bottom 251 and defines the opening 256. The opening 256 is designedto receive in a secure and snug fit a valve 400 in a manner hereafterdescribed. The inside of the cup 250 may be further reinforced by aplurality of corner gussets 258.

The valve 400 that fits into opening 256 is designed to limit the flowof water from the cup 250 downwardly through passage opening 256 intothe fuel cup 280 to react with fuel contained in that cup. In itspreferred form, the valve permits the slow drip of fluid through it.Preferably the valve 400 should permit the flow of fluid from a cup 250full of water for many days and preferably at a constant rate for aperiod in the order of one week. The valve 400 should further bedesigned to permit the drip of this fluid at an approximate rate of 2ml/hour. Other rates for different desired durations may be consideredand the flow rate varied by obvious modification of the parameters ofthe valve 400.

The valve 400 includes an annular body 401 having a passage 402 therethrough. The annular body 401 is formed at its lower end with anoutwardly extending annular flange 403. The passage 402 may, asillustrated, be tapered from one end to the other. In a typicalapplication, the diameter of the bottom may be in the order of ¼″whereas the diameter at the upper tapered end may be in the order of0.187 inches. The valve may be formed of a conventional valve materialsuch as rubber. One end of the valve may be covered with a filter sheet405 designed to permit the migration or passage of water at a very slowrate through the filter paper into the fuel cup. The particular materialused may comprise a semi-permeable membrane having a thickness andpermeability factor selected for the particular purposes hereindescribed. Other methods of diffusing water at a constant flow in theorders of magnitude considered may comprise a pipette, a wick, a sponge,felt filters, or other appropriate mechanism. If a wick is used it issecured in the passage 402. It should have sufficient permeability topermit the flow of water or other fluid from the cup 250 downwardly intothe fuel cup 280 and onto the material contained in it. FIG. 9illustrates such an arrangement. A valve 410 having a cylindrical body412 with an axial opening 414 has a wick 416 secured in it. When in usethe fluid 40 is wicked downwardly and drops of the liquid fall onto thematerial below. When installed, the valve 400 is fitted closely into theopening 256 with the annular flange 403 pressed upwardly against thebottom edge of the annular wall 257.

The hood or top shroud 230 has a frusto-conic wall 231. In a preferredembodiment, the wall 231 is provided with a series of holes or slots232. These holes and slots are optional. If used, six holes willtypically provide sufficient opening to permit insects to pass through.The top shroud is open at the bottom 233 and has a top wall 234 that isdownwardly offset from the top edge 235 of the shroud 230. An annularwall 236 connects the wall 234 with a top of the shroud 230. A hole 237is axially formed in the top wall 234. The hole 237 is a key-hole typehole as illustrated in the top plan view of the top shroud. The glueboard or adhesive strip 370 is secured circumferentially about theshroud 230 at its lower edge. The glue boards or strips 370 are formedof any suitable flexible and sturdy material such as paper or cardboard.These boards are coated with an insect adhesive similar to the adhesivesused on conventional fly paper. A wide range of adhesive materialscapable of trapping an insect on its surface may be used. The strip 370is conventionally formed as a flexible element having a frusto-conicshape. The ends of the strip 370 may be secured by two pairs of knobbedpins 440 which are riveted or as otherwise suitably secured to the outersurface of the top shroud. The strip 370 should maybe overlap at thesepins at each end and be secured to it by popping the paper onto the pinsat a location in which suitable cross slits have been formed in thepaper to permit the pins to be forced through the strip 370.

A similar mechanism may be used to secure the strips 375 to the lowerskirt 300 by two pair of pins 440A projecting from the skirt 300.

The dome 220 is formed with a central opening 221 having a key-holeshape, sized to receive the handle or hook 210. The bottom surface ofthe dome 220 is formed with an annular depending flange 222 that isshaped and sized to fit into and engage the recessed section defined bythe annular wall 236 and top wall 234 of the top shroud 230. The dome isprovided with a pair of downwardly extending dogs or tabs 223 thatextend downwardly diametrically opposite one another into openings 238in the top wall 234 of the shroud 230 to align the keyholes 221, 237 andlock in barbs 254 to prevent accidental release of 250 from 230.

The dome 220 is secured in a locked position with the top shroud 230 bythe handle 210. This handle 210 (FIG. 23) is formed with a shaft 211integrally formed with the hand grip 212. The base of the shaft 211 ispreferably formed with an outwardly extending flange 213 having akeyhole configuration. The shaft 211 may have any suitablecross-sectional shape as may the hand grip 211, but for economy ofmaterial it is preferable the shaft 211 have an x-beam shape while thecross-section of the hand grip 211 may have an I-beam cross-section.

To interengage the handle 210, the dome 220, the top shroud 230, and theupper container 250 and its integrally formed frusto-conic section 270,the shaft 211 is inserted through the hole or opening 221 in the domeand the hole or opening 237 in the shroud 230. Once inserted to a pointin which the flange 213 is below the wall 234, the handle is turned tolock the components together.

In the assembly described, the selected chemical composition previouslydescribed is inserted in the fuel cup 280, and water is inserted in theupper container 250. The units are assembled so that water in the uppercontainer 250 will drip at a slow rate over a period of many days, in amanner as herein described from the upper container 250 through thevalve 400 and onto the composition resting in the bottom of the fuelcup. There is a reaction between the water and the material in the fuelcup that emits carbon dioxide and other gaseous materials as previouslydescribed. The carbon dioxide moves through the lattice of openings 275,thus permitting carbon dioxide to escape and present an atmosphereattractive to ticks and mosquitoes.

The embodiments described also contemplates using a water cup insert inthe water cup to negate variable pressure of a water column thatdecreases in height as the water moves from the cup.

The present invention also contemplates providing a birdcage-like coverto fit over the trap described in this present invention in order topreclude large objects such as pets, children, etc. from inadvertentlybrushing against the adhesive surfaces.

The top shroud 230 is illustrated in a preferred embodiment with aseries of holes. It is contemplated, however, that the shroud may bemade without holes or fewer or more holes than illustrated. The openingsdo provide an appearance of motion to an insect.

The present invention also contemplates forming the various componentsof plastic and in particular of plastic in different colors. In thepreferred embodiment, the plastic components are preferably red or blue,and in a particular embodiment the fuel cup is blue and the upper shroudor skirt 230 black, with the remaining components red. In someinstances, other colors are preferable attractants for insects orarthropods. For example, fleas are believed to be attracted to ayellow-green color. Provisions may also be made for colored paper orplastic to be wrapped around various components for use in attractingdifferent types of insects or bugs.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention outlines a series ofchemicals that are believed to be when activated generate carbon dioxidewhich is attracted to insects. Other chemicals may also be used. Forexample, an octenol or other chemical block, pheromones, may attractspecific insects.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of thisinvention, it is to be appreciated that various alterations,modifications, and improvements will readily occur by those skilled inthe art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intendedto be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spiritand scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description anddrawings are by way of example only.

1. A chemical composition of material for continuous emission of CO₂over a time period in excess of several hours when treated with anactivating agent said composition comprising lactic acid, and urea asfunctional constituents.
 2. A chemical composition as set forth in claim1 wherein the urea comprises up to, on the order of 11% by weight of thecomposition.
 3. A chemical composition as set forth in claim 2 in whichthe reaction produced of the composition when activated produces carbondioxide and ammonia.
 4. A chemical composition as set forth in claim 1wherein the activating agent is water.
 5. A chemical composition as setforth in claim 4 wherein the activating agent is applied in to thecomposition over a period of at least several hours.
 6. A chemicalcomposition as set forth in claim 5 wherein the urea comprises up toabout 11% by weight of the composition.
 7. A composition of material forcontinuous emission of CO₂ over a time period in excess of several dayswhen subject to a flow of water at a rate of in the order of 2 ml/hr.comprising a cake or container of sodium bicarbonate weighing on theorder of 400 g to 500 g.
 8. A composition as set forth claim 7 whereinsaid cake or chemical container includes at least one additionalcompound selected from the group consisting of approximately 10-30% oflactic acid and 5-20% of urea.